[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl":3,"chapter-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-89":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Controlling My Ancestors: Building an Immortal Clan Starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2285758,4471,"Chapter 89: Gu Chen Defeats Cao, Liu Bei Gains Jingzhou (Seeking Monthly Votes)","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-89",89,"\u003Cp>Henei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upholding the fine traditions of the Gu Shizi, Gu Chen constantly scouted the Cao Army's main camp before the battle lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Searching for flaws within the enemy's formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a tradition that had been passed down within the Gu family since the generation of Gu Xiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time was different from the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when Gu Chen went to scout personally, he could not discover any flaws in the Cao Army's camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao was a person unlike any opponent the Gu family had encountered before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a true hero with the qualifications to scheme for the world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao was indeed very focused on this battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, if he won this battle, it would undoubtedly be equivalent to the Emperor Guangwu rebuilding the Great Han in years past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he could eliminate Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who among the remaining warlords in the world could stop him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not underestimate Gu Chen in the slightest, striving to bring everything to a level of perfection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen was testing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And was he not also testing Gu Chen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides engaged in constant probing around the entirety of Henei and Yingchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scout reconnaissance and small-scale skirmishes were constant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither side was willing to easily advance into Nanyang, lest they reveal a flaw and provide the enemy with an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was under these circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That both sides strangely fell into a sort of stalemate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unlike the standoff between Gu Chen and Cao Cao, the current war in Jingzhou was indeed being fought very intensely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei's current strength was indeed far, far greater than it had been in original history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Sun Ce had already led his army to attack, he ultimately could not completely block Liu Bei's grand army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the battle-hardened troops under Liu Bei's command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers of Jingzhou were indeed far, far inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Sun Ce and his soldiers were brave, they could not fully bridge this gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most critical point was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the fierce generals under Liu Bei be weaker than Sun Ce?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After only a brief stalemate, the entire Jingzhou battlefield underwent a earth-shattering change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixth year of Jian'an, March;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Liu Bei followed the strategy of Zhuge Liang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utilizing Sun Ce's bellicose nature and his desire to avenge his father, he feigned defeat repeatedly to yield cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luring Sun Ce to penetrate deep into Nanyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, he crushed Sun Ce at Wanxian, completely turning the situation around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After communicating with Gu Chen and confirming that Gu Chen could hold off Cao Cao from entering Nanyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once again began his conquest of the Jingzhou region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>April;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei personally led his army to Nanjun, engaging in constant battles against the Jiangdong army led by Sun Ce and the Jingzhou army led by Cai Mao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, he also adopted Zhuge Liang's strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continuously sending people to contact the powerful clans and commoners of Jingzhou, as well as those in Jiangdong who were dissatisfied with Sun Ce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei's reputation for \"benevolence and virtue\" became useful at such a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce had only conquered all of Jiangdong for a few years; how could his foundations be completely stable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhuge Liang intended to exploit this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as chaos arose in Jiangdong, Sun Ce would have no choice but to retreat to Jiangdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, the strength on the Jingzhou battlefield would rapidly lose balance; once Jingzhou was settled, it would be enough to stabilize the entire war situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a pure, overt scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang had not anticipated was that Sun Ce's younger brother, Sun Quan, would stand out at such a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he was young, he already displayed extraordinary qualities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Jiangdong region, he followed the strategy of Zhou Yu, successively deploying troops to resolve several rebellions and completely stabilizing the hearts of the people in Jiangdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Resolving Sun Ce's worries in the rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again narrowing the outcome of this battle down to the battlefield itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>June;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce and Liu Bei fought at Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a vital stronghold of Jingzhou, neither the Jingzhou noble clans nor Sun Ce would allow Liu Bei to capture Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides deployed their means around the entirety of Xiangyang and its surrounding areas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei first sent Zhang Fei to attack Caiyang, Zhao Yun to attack Xuancheng, while he personally led the central army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intending to use the momentum of three fronts to completely surround Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce and Cai Mao each sent their own fierce generals to meet the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun still managed to slay generals and capture cities, joining Liu Bei to surround Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The situation in Jingzhou changed drastically!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Xiangyang City would certainly not be easy to capture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strategy of Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu had never been to directly capture Xiangyang from the very beginning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather, it was to utilize this strategy of siege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To continuously influence the hearts of the people in Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morale is something that always gradually declines with the passage of time and the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current situation in Jingzhou was like a wall that could collapse at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they could seize this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would be able to rapidly occupy all of Jingzhou, and even be able to take the Jingzhou army for their own use!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News spread continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao naturally guessed Zhuge Liang's intentions at the first moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was entirely an overt scheme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was meant to utilize the current chaotic situation and then use the war to launch an offensive on the hearts of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—With no other choice, Cao Cao had to move!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he could not directly lead his main army to march on Nanyang, he had to dispatch troops to Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao had long since seen through the character of the noble clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he let the situation continue like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the moment the Jingzhou noble clans changed their hearts, the entire Jingzhou would fall into Liu Bei's hands in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Liu Bei's abilities, how could he sit and watch the winds and clouds of the world like Liu Biao had done?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, both Yang and Yu would be at risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gu Chen would be able to directly threaten the two provinces of Yan and Ji.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his most critical base of operations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, he absolutely could not permit Liu Bei to occupy Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing these two opponents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao could not give them any opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to lead twenty thousand troops, intending to pass through Runan and advance into Nanyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could Gu Chen give him such an opportunity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it seemed that no major battle had broken out between the two of them, the secret struggle between them was not the least bit lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen had actually made preparations long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now possessed an invincible heart; how could he allow this stalemate to continue just because the Cao Army had not revealed any flaws?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen had long since sent Ma Chao to lead his central army, which was extremely skilled at traversing mountains and ridges, to cross the Funiu Mountains and launch a surprise attack on Kunyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Xiahou Dun had even moved his troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news of Kunyang falling had already arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Gu Chen also moved his troops into Yingchuan, intending to take this opportunity to directly tear open Cao Cao's defensive line and control the entire battlefield within Yingchuan Commandery by surrounding Kunyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The situation changed in an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao had indeed not anticipated this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Gu Chen had previously carried out surprise attacks on Longyou and secretly supported Bingzhou with Ma Chao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the current situation was completely different from before!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao's control over the entire Yan Province was beyond imagination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have expected that Gu Chen would take such a risk?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden, decisive battle completely exceeded everyone's expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is impossible for Cao Cao to allow Kunyang to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Kunyang is not a major stronghold of Yingchuan, in the current situation, it is like a thorn directly piercing into Yingchuan Commandery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is highly likely to affect the overall situation at a critical moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, Cao Cao must take it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no other choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao can only dispatch Xiahou Dun to attack Kunyang first, while he himself leads the main army to face Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as Cao Cao is concerned, as long as he can block Gu Chen's main army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Ma Chao will become an isolated force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, even if he cannot take his life, it will be enough to drive him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——The great battle begins instantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intensity of this battle is destined to far exceed that of Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troops committed by both sides are not even on the same scale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this move by Gu Chen risky?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extremely risky!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must break through Cao Cao's lines before Ma Chao is completely defeated, and rely on Kunyang to set up a defensive line throughout Yingchuan, only then can the situation be considered stabilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But where there is danger, there are naturally benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as this battle succeeds, all paths for Cao Cao to support Jingzhou can be completely cut off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the entire battlefield can be compressed within Yuzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the morale of the army;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even for the judgment of the people of the world, it has astonishing benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already made detailed plans for this long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao had originally thought that Gu Chen would lead his main army to attack directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Chen's plan was far from that simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left a feint force within Songshan, while the main army remained near Xincheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not forget, Cao Cao is suspicious by nature!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially under the situation where Ma Chao has already launched a surprise attack on Kunyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao almost immediately concluded that Gu Chen wanted to launch a surprise attack on Yangcheng, and then proceed to attack Yangyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Yangcheng is not a major stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he naturally would not let Gu Chen succeed repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Cao Cao dispatched troops to Yangcheng, and at the same time set up ambushes throughout the mouth of the Songshan valley, wanting to dampen Gu Chen's morale first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, he even sent an envoy to deliver a letter of challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He invited Gu Chen to a head-on battle and mocked Gu Chen as a cunning person who only knows how to use treacherous tactics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was naturally done deliberately by Cao Cao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he holds the advantage in troop numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this kind of insult were directed at someone else, they might have agreed directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Chen is different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is a person who, once he has a goal, will use every means to achieve it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen ignored Cao Cao's invitation to battle entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utilizing the fact that Cao Cao's attention was entirely on him and the feint force at Songshan, he secretly sent men to cross the Ru River from Ruyang and enter Yingchuan again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sixth year of Jian'an, in the ninth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coordinating with Ma Chao in the Kunyang area, they captured Fucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they made the two cities form a pincer formation, utilizing the terrain of the Funiu Mountains to resist the Cao Army!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night is like a wash, the stars are bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Cao Cao learned of this, he was stunned for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he roared fiercely and slammed the millet in his hand onto the table in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gu Ziyan deceives me too much!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he immediately covered his head with his hands, and his whole body trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My Lord!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, everyone in the main tent panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew about Cao Cao's chronic headaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the current situation, if Cao Cao, the backbone, were to collapse, the impact on military morale would be unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao immediately waved his hand, took a deep breath, and forced his expression to calm down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the veins on his head still revealed the pain he was facing at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is I who underestimated Gu Chen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke slowly, his eyes becoming increasingly sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Cao Cao's talent, how could he not see why this series of Gu Chen's actions succeeded?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen was using his personality against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao has always been one to \"know his mistakes, correct them, but never admit them.\" At this moment, although his headache was unbearable, his mind was very clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must not fall!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more so, he must not fall at such a time!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the tent was extremely heavy, and Cao Cao then asked everyone to state their own strategies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While listening carefully, he was also calculating for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everyone had finished speaking, he then spoke slowly: \"Pass on my order, dispatch troops to immediately fell the trees in the southern forest of Songshan for thirty miles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Set a great fire to burn the forest; never let Gu Chen have another opportunity to use it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still somewhat uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that Gu Chen would launch a counter-attack again to raid Yangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, he had completely realized Gu Chen's ability for surprise attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would rather destroy the strategic terrain than let Gu Chen have the possibility of another surprise attack, utilizing his personality to disperse the entire battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subsequently, he made even more detailed plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dispatched Cao Chun to raid the Luoyang grain supply route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And sent men to throw corpses into the upper reaches of the Yi River, attempting to force Gu Chen to break camp and reverse the entire situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even had someone forge Gu Chen's handwriting and send it to Kunyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wanting to influence Ma Chao's judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, recapturing Kunyang and Fucheng is the top priority now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His troop strength indeed still holds the advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at the current situation, he has already fallen into a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he cannot resolve the threat of Kunyang and Fucheng, his main army cannot turn from defense to offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to risk an attack on Sili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xiahou Dun were to truly encounter a problem, then even Xuchang would be affected, which is something Cao Cao absolutely cannot allow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao is indeed a rare hero of the century.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he is suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once he has decided on a matter, he will not have the slightest hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing corpses into the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of method is absolutely no less severe than slaughtering a city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it truly caused a plague, the resulting casualties would be unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as far as Cao Cao is concerned, he does not care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——This is Cao Cao's principle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In order to ensure that everything was foolproof, he even leaked the news of his recurring headache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move was destined to be very risky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a commander-in-chief like Cao Cao to fall ill before the battle, the impact on military morale would be unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there are losses and there are gains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move did indeed deceive Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also did not expect that Cao Cao would be so desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sixth year of Jian'an, at the end of the tenth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Chun first cut off Gu Chen's grain supply route, then burned Gu Chen's granary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Gu Chen did not store all the grain and fodder in one place, so it did not cause too great an impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Cao Cao’s strategy of throwing corpses also played a role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden plague surged toward Sili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, with the experience left behind by Gu Xi in the past, Gu Chen immediately implemented isolation for those infected with the plague and strictly ordered the commoners not to draw water from the Yi River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then was the progression of the plague alleviated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he had no choice but to choose to pull up camp at Xincheng and re-establish the main camp on the Songshan mountain path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also fortunate that Gu Chen had long anticipated that Cao Cao would exploit Ma Chao’s personality, so before Ma Chao moved his troops, he had warned him again to focus on defending the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Cao Cao’s strategy targeting Kunyang fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Gu Chen would naturally choose to counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao’s tactic of burning the mountain forests did indeed impose certain limitations on Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could his methods be limited to only these?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That very month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen proclaimed to the world that he had obtained a blood-written letter from Liu Xie, declaring Cao Cao to be a traitor to the Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he performed a sacrifice once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He informed Heaven that Cao Cao had thrown corpses to create a plague and would surely suffer divine punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was to disturb the hearts of the four quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the current era, sacrifices by the Gu Shizi held a different significance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, if Gu Chen were a bit more ruthless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a time like this, throwing corpses into the upper reaches of the Ru River and Ying River to create a large-scale plague would definitely bring a fatal impact to Cao Cao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Cao Cao could imitate Gu Chen’s methods and control the plague right from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But under the circumstances of the \"Gu Family Divine Punishment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His control over the four provinces would definitely suffer a fatal impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone the common people, even the noble clans would develop rebellious hearts against Cao Cao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it is a pity that Gu Chen is, after all, a Gu Shizi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He can be ruthless to his enemies and ruthless to those who hate him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but he ultimately cannot take action against the common people of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gu Chen were to do this, even if he could one day sweep across the world, the prestige accumulated by the Gu family over several generations among the people would be completely dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The influence of the Gu family can indeed bring a lot of help to Gu Chen, but it can also bring invisible shackles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for Gu Chen, he does not need to do this now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is there a need to create a plague?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this is a typical \"psychological suggestion\"; when the people of the world learn of this matter, whenever things go slightly wrong, they will wonder if it is that so-called \"divine punishment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the human heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This move brought a great impact to Cao Cao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rebel armies appeared one after another within various provinces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although these rebel armies were not many, they were extremely fatal to his rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All kinds of chaotic phenomena are destined to be slowly accumulated over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this situation continues, it will only become more and more troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao must resolve this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—With no other choice, Cao Cao could only order the Grand Historian to provide a counterattack through celestial phenomena, attempting to stabilize the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Chen would not give up such an opportunity in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He personally led a large army into Yingchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stabilize the situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he wanted was for Cao Cao’s chaos to become even more chaotic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation in the world was in constant turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although compared to the chaos that once filled the nine provinces, the current warfare is concentrated only within Yingchuan and Jingzhou, its intensity actually far exceeds the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It can be said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever can win this battle is only one step away from ruling the entire world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they not fight with all their might?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full few months of siege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—In the seventh year of Jian'an, in the second month;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei finally officially broke through Xiangyang City, beheaded more than ten great generals under Cai Mao, and annihilated nearly ten thousand enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly thirty thousand people surrendered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The siege strategy set for Liu Bei by Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu finally played a major role at this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Mao and Sun Ce had no choice but to retreat to Jiangling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted to drag Liu Bei into a stalemate in Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the third month;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Chao once again repelled the offensive of Xiahou Dun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, he even took the initiative to pursue, shot an arrow into Xiahou Dun’s left eye, and crushed Xiahou Dun at Kunyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news spread, and Yingchuan shook violently!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao’s military morale finally became increasingly unstable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen seized the opportunity, completely stopped small-scale skirmishes with Cao Cao, broke Zhang He’s army on the Songshan mountain path, and headed straight for Yangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides launched a great battle at Yangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This could be called the most tragic battle between Gu Chen and Cao Cao since the war began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yangcheng was, after all, not a major stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nearly half a month of offensive, the city was finally broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cao army suffered over ten thousand casualties and retreated to the Yingchuan stronghold of Yangyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire Yingchuan defense line was completely torn apart by Gu Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The situation changed completely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Liu Bei’s offensive in Jingzhou became increasingly fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morale is the kind of thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That will eventually be scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is the greatest reliance of the Jingzhou noble clans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now Cao Cao can hardly protect himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could Gu Chen give up the opportunity to spread the news of the Yingchuan battle to the world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact of this on all the Jingzhou noble clans is enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, how could Cai Mao possibly continue to control all the Jingzhou noble clans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people already had thoughts of surrendering to Liu Bei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, for them, surrendering before the great war ends might still preserve their families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they continue to resist like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once they truly lose, they will have no way to turn things around!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Cai Mao himself had such thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce was incomparably furious about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to Jingzhou for this battle, originally taking a huge risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce could not bring all the elite forces of Jiangdong over; after all, he also needed to stabilize Jiangdong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His greatest reliance was the noble clans of Jingzhou!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... the noble clans of Jingzhou actually already had the heart to surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not be furious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce wished he could directly behead all these people from the noble clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Zhou Yu rushed over from Jiangdong at this time and stopped Sun Ce, claiming that this move would definitely trigger greater chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were someone else, they might not be able to persuade Sun Ce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Yu was ultimately different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce followed Zhou Yu’s advice and only spoke of Gu Chen’s actions in Bingzhou in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one opposes Gu Chen... even if one surrenders in the end, it is destined that one cannot preserve the family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This did indeed play a certain role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Liu Bei is Gu Chen’s ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how can people not have a heart of wishful thinking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Jingzhou noble clans, this is a matter concerning the lives of the entire clan; if the situation were smooth or even a stalemate, that would be one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could the current situation make them give their all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current situation in Jingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Zhou Yu’s heaven-reaching abilities, it is not enough to turn the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally wanted to help Sun Ce set up defenses and wanted to clash with Liu Bei head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in just a few days, he had already sensed the severity of the current situation, and subsequently went to see Sun Ce immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, the current situation requires us to abandon Jingzhou immediately and return to Jiangdong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu’s expression was incomparably serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Sun Ce was suddenly stunned, even finding it somewhat hard to believe, and asked with extreme astonishment: \"Is Gongjin afraid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would you say such a thing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu smiled indifferently, shook his head slightly, and said: \"This general is naturally not afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is just that the current situation... is no longer enough to defy the heavens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Sun Ce’s expression also could not help but turn serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was clearly still somewhat unwilling, stared fixedly at Zhou Yu, and said in a deep voice: \"Gongjin, you must know that I have a blood feud with that Gu Chen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If things go on like this... when will I ever be able to avenge my father?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Sun Ce’s eyes were filled with killing intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately cupped his hands toward Sun Ce: \"This general naturally knows my lord’s heart and will certainly assist my lord in taking revenge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, if my lord wishes to take revenge, then there is no choice but to retreat to Jiangdong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Jingzhou noble families are fickle and their hearts are hard to settle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this continues, we will definitely be dragged down by them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a \"bang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Ce slammed his hand onto the desk: \"Those trash, I will go and slaughter them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must not!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu hurriedly stopped Sun Ce and said earnestly: \"My lord must not lose your temper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the contrary... my lord should show sincerity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can bring the troops of these noble families under your own command, that would be the most advantageous thing for my lord!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Sun Ce also suddenly sobered up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked earnestly at the Zhou Yu before him, a smile suddenly appeared on his face, and he could not help but laugh loudly: \"Gongjin is truly my loyal warrior!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu smiled indifferently and did not deny Sun Ce’s statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the sixth year of Jian'an, Jingzhou and Yingchuan were plagued by constant warfare, and the world was in turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Liu Bei was besieging Xiangyang urgently, Gu Chen surmised that Cao Cao must have ulterior motives, so he secretly sent Ma Chao to sneak across the Funiu Mountains, launch a night raid on Kunyang, and cut off his path to reinforce Sun Ce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then set up deceptive banners on Mount Song; Cao Cao indeed suspected an ambush nearby, hesitated and dared not advance, and thus lost Fucheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Kunyang was secured, although Xiahou Dun led the Tiger Guards to knock at the pass, he failed to conquer it for a full month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the tenth month of winter, the Cao Army cut off Gu Chen’s supply route at Yique and threw rotting corpses into the Yi River, intending to spread a plague.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Chen imitated the plague-curing methods of his ancestor Gu Xi, and the plague vanished in less than ten days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then offered sacrifices to heaven and earth, proclaimed the Cao clan’s heaven-defying actions, and many of the common people pledged their allegiance to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the second month of spring in the seventh year, Liu Bei broke through Xiangyang, beheaded nine thousand, and Cai Mao and Sun Ce led their remaining troops to flee and hold Jiangling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the first day of the third month, Ma Chao drew his bow and shot Xiahou Dun in the eye; the Cao Army was terrified and routed, with countless casualties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Gu Chen separately attacked Zhang He in the narrow passes of Mount Song, broke his elite forces, and took advantage of the victory to capture Yangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world was shaken, and the signs of the Han dynasty’s restoration gradually became apparent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—— \"Chronicles of Heroes at the End of the Han, Gu Chen Chapter\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4671,"2026-06-20T03:16:01.192Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","99b497b4f1cf818c52a6796548edfe0bdbf9974ff92082974b84226b6842b31b","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-90","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-88",167,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcontrolling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-cover.jpg"]